Wallace Gene Walther, 83, of Quanah was called home to our Lord, surrounded by his family, at the House of Hope in Wichita Falls on March 3, 2022.

Wallace Gene Walther was born May 4, 1938, in the family home at Rowena, Texas. He graduated from Ballinger High School and went on to serve his country in the U.S. Army as an Air Defense Arty Gun Crewman for three years. He came away from his military career with a Good Conduct Medal and stories he would go on to tell his family for years.

Wally married his best friend, Celeta Christine Simmons, on June 22, 1962, in Dallas, Texas. They had two girls and four boys and raised their family in Quanah, Texas. He bought his first farm in 1966 and made his living farming and ranching in Hardeman County. He was later recognized for his efforts and dedication to conservation and management of renewable natural resources, being named Conservation Farmer of the Year in 2004.

Everyone who knew Wally recognized his heart of service. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Lion's Club, he served on the loan committee of the First National Bank of Chillicothe, was on the board of directors for the Quanah Cotton Oil Mill and served as the Executive Director for the Housing Authority.

Wally loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and barbequing and he especially loved to do it all with his family. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Alfred Walther, Sr. and Elizabeth Balusek Walther, and his brother, Edwin Alfred Walther, Jr.

Those left behind to cherish his memory are his wife, Celeta, his brother, Wayne Walther, his sister, Beverly Teplicek, his six children and their spouses, Jackie and Russell Schreiber, Renee and Robert Porter, Mark and Lesia Walther, Jamie and Laura Walther, Joe and Amy Walther, Gary and Melissa Walther; his fifteen grandchildren and their spouses, Scott Schreiber, Lindsey and Matthew Hunter, Miller and Kailee Porter, Madison and John Cooper, Mitchell Porter, Wrange Walther, Landis Walther, Marshall Walther, Paris Walther, Chance Walther, Ramey Walther, Kade Walther, Katelyn Walther, Tripp Walther, and Allie Walther, and his three great-grandchildren Leo Porter, Oliver Porter, and Jack Wallace Cooper.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 6, from 2:00-4:00 pm at Smith Funeral Home in Quanah. Graveside service will be Monday, March 7, at 11:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Wally's memory to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Quanah, Hospice of Wichita Falls, and House of Hope in Wichita Falls.